Kalanchoe plant

ABSTRACT

1. A new and distinct variety of Kalanchoe plant, substantially as herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to novelty by the unique combination of its orange red color with a distinctive yellow eye; medium large sized flexible foilage of fern green color; its tall habit of from 16 inches to 20 inches in height; the profusion of flowers carried on sturdy stems 6 inches above the foliage; and its adaptability to year round flowering by photoperiod manipulation.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of Kalanchoeplant which was originated by me by crossing the Kalanchoe variety knownas "Exotic" (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,149) with an unpatented variety knownas "Ramona", the former being the seed parent and the latter being thepollen parent.

As the result of this breeding, I have produced a new and improvedKalanchoe variety which is distinguished from its parents, as well asfrom all other Kalanchoe varieties of which I am aware, as evidenced bythe following unique combination of principal characteristics which areoutstanding in the new variety and which make it a valuable addition tothe line of Kalanchoe varieties which are presently commerciallyavailable:

1. Its unique orange red color with a yellow eye;

2. Medium large size flexible foliage of fern green color;

3. Its tall habit, from 16 inches to 20 inches in height;

4. The profusion of flowers carried on a sturdy stem 6 inches above thefoliage;

5. Its adaptability to year round flowering controlled by photoperiodmanipulation.

Asexual reproduction of my new Kalanchoe variety by means of cuttingsperformed by me in my greenhouse located at Canyon, Tex., shows that theforegoing characteristics and distinctions come true and are establishedand transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The accompanying drawing shows a typical blooming plant of my newvariety, and in addition a close up view of the flowers, as depicted incolor, being nearly as true as is possible to make the same in a colorillustration of this character.

There follows a detailed description of my new variety, with colorterminology in accordance with Maerz and Paul Dictionary of Color,Exotica No. 3 by A. B. Graf, except where general color terms ofordinary dictionary significance are appropriate:

Parentage: Seedling.

Seed parent.--"Exotic" (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 3,149).

Pollen parent.--"Ramona" an unnamed hybrid.

Propagation: Holds its distinguishing characteristics through succeedingpropagations by cuttings.

Locality where grown and observed: Canyon, Tex.

Plant:

Form.--Tall; much branched; upright.

Growth habit.--Medium vigorous; upright branching 16 inches to 20 inchestall.

Rooting habit.--Coordinate; roots easily from any part of the stemforming a fibrous root system.

Blooming habit.--Natural flowering occurs approximately December 15th asit is a short day plant.

Blooming season.--Its short day response to flowering may be used tobring the plant into bloom the year round by appropriate photoperiodicmanipulation; normally blooms in about 12 weeks.

Foliage:

Size.--Large.

Quantity.--Abundant.

Color.--New foliage -- Upper side -- (83) Fern Green; Under side --(83-). Old foliage -- Upper side -- (83+); Under side -- (83).

Shape.--Somewhat oval obtuse.

Texture.--Upper side -- Glossy and smooth. Under side -- Smooth.

Disease resistance: Equally as resistant to diseases as other newvarieties and much more resistant than older standard varieties, asdetermined by comparison with other varieties in the greenhouse atCanyon, Tex.

Flowers: Pistillate staminate.

Size.--Diameter -- 1.5 cm. Depth -- 1.25 cm.

Petals.--Length -- 0.7 cm. Width -- About 0.6 cm.

Form.--Umbel.

Color.--Upper side -- New flowers -- (25+32); Old flowers -- MoreScarlet (25). Lower side -- (31-) Throat of corolla -- A distinct yelloweye (4-).

Blooming period.--About 4 to 5 weeks.

Fruit: None.

Hardiness: A range of 50° F to 100° F in the greenhouse indicates thatthe plant has no problem in this respect.

General observations: This new variety has the distinctive desirablequalities of a good pot plant with vigorous growth, good color andupright form making it distinctive from all other Kalanchoes. The factthat it will flower in 12 weeks and that one cutting makes a large potare other unique aspects distinctive from other Kalanchoe varieties.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of Kalanchoe plant, substantiallyas herein shown and described, characterized particularly as to noveltyby the unique combination of its orange red color with a distinctiveyellow eye; medium large sized flexible foliage of fern green color; itstall habit of from 16 inches to 20 inches in height; the profusion offlowers carried on sturdy stems 6 inches above the foliage; and itsadaptability to year round flowering by photoperiod manipulation.